Malaysia Pushes Myanmar on Peace Plan Ahead of Year-End Elections

Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister Mohamad Hasan takes part in a press briefing during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 11, 2025. MANDEL NGAN/Pool via REUTERS

On October 9, 2025,   Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Mohamad Hasan is set to visit Naypyidaw, Myanmar, to hold talks with the country’s military junta regarding the upcoming general elections and to push for progress in the stalled peace process. The visit comes as Myanmar remains mired in a civil war between the ruling military and various ethnic armed groups. During the one-day trip, Mohamad is expected to meet Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, as well as the country’s prime minister and foreign minister. The trip marks an important diplomatic mission by Malaysia in its role as the current ASEAN chair.

According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamad will urge Myanmar’s military government to fully implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Peace Plan, which the junta has failed to comply with more than two years after the 2021 coup. Since 2022, ASEAN has barred Myanmar’s military leaders from attending its summits in response to their inaction. The peace plan calls for an end to violence, unhindered humanitarian access, and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders in Myanmar. Mohamad previously stated in July that holding elections should not be the group’s top priority, emphasizing that achieving genuine peace must come first.

The planned general election on December 28 has drawn widespread criticism from opposition groups and international observers, who have described it as a “sham election” designed to entrench military power through tightly controlled representatives. Only a few political parties are expected to participate, while several major opposition groups have been banned from running or have refused to take part altogether. The announcement comes amid a climate of fear, political repression, and limited freedoms under the junta’s rule.

Violence in Myanmar continues despite attempts to broker ceasefires in several regions. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mohamad warned that recent ceasefire violations were undermining ASEAN’s peace efforts, though he did not specify details. On Wednesday, human rights groups and local witnesses reported at least 20 deaths following a military airstrike on a public gathering in Sagaing Region, central Myanmar. The incident underscores the country’s ongoing instability and the immense challenges facing efforts to restore peace.

Source: Rueters

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